Free Surgery of
Cleft Lip & Palate.
A long-running DWS initiative connecting children and families with specialist surgical care through organized camps.
The initiative grew from cases identified during DWS mobile health camps in villages around Gujrat.
Turning a difficult beginning into a path forward.
During the mobile health camps, Dr. Ijaz noticed many children with birth-related cleft lip and palate conditions. The original DWS account explains that private surgery could be unaffordable for many families, motivating the organization to develop a free or supported surgical pathway.
The first such camp was organized at Bashir Hospital, where Dr. Amanullah Raja performed the first surgery in 1996. Another camp followed in 1997, after which a team from Royal Hull Hospital, England joined the campaign.
Local commitment.
International support.
Dr. Amanullah Raja partnered with DWS in the mission to treat cleft lip and palate patients. Dr. Nick Hart and a medical support team from Royal Hull Hospital also contributed services without charge.
The source records the formation of Pakistan Cleft Lip & Palate Association in April 2001 to support the camps.
A program built around specialist camps.
The original record says that nine camps at Bashir Hospital examined more than 2,500 cases and operated 700 cases. It also describes the camps as a regular DWS feature, with Pakistani and British surgeons working together.
“This is the area I want to focus in the future.”
The original DWS page describes a continuing commitment to cleft surgery camps in Gujrat when funds are available to support these procedures.
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